Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects the Green Paper on Local Government Reform to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8124/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a Green Paper on Local Government Reform, which will examine a number of issues with the objective of making local government more transparent and responsive. The Green Paper, which I am currently finalising and which will be published shortly, will present options for reform in advance of a subsequent White Paper.

I established a Consultative Committee, which met for the first time in September 2007, to advise me on the production of the Green Paper. The Committee's members included local government interests, Government Departments and others with an interest in local government. The Committee had initially intended to conclude its work by early December 2007. However, given the breadth of the issues involved, the Committee decided to have a further meeting on 20 December to consider its work. Since then I have been engaged with my Department in reviewing the public submissions and the work of the Consultative Committee, and in preparation of the text of the Green Paper.

The Green Paper represents the initial phase of a transparent, inclusive policy formulation process. Its purpose is not to arrive at a single solution, but to present options for further consideration. It is my objective that it should initiate a broad and lively debate on the future of local government.